I am hypertensive, what is the optimal level of my blood pressure?

High blood pressure is the most potent risk factor that is related to the possibility of having a stroke, a myocardial infarction or kidney failure .

This situation worsens when it is associated with other risk factors in the patient , such as being diabetic, smoker, obese or having high levels of blood lipids.

During the last few years, guidelines for action and consensus have been developed, so that the entire medical community could agree on what blood pressure figures should be reduced to minimize the risks.

The most recent review of the studies has been published in the hypertensive patient treatment guide of European hypertension and cardiology societies, presented in Milan, in May 2013.

This guide reviews the most important studies published in recent years and published results in hypertensive patients with different risks, ages, associated pathologies, etc.

The main novelty is that they unify the goal of blood pressure for all patients under 80 years of age <140/90 mmHg. In previous guidelines the target of <130/80 mmHg was marked in patients with a high cardiovascular risk and / or diabetic and even lower if they had renal insufficiency with proteinuria. However, the current target is marked at <140/90 mmHg, leaving a margin up to <85 mmHg in the diastolic component for diabetics with a good general situation.

In patients older than 80 years, a target blood pressure <150/90 is reasonable.

In another order of topics, it also clearly affects which patients are candidates for different blood pressure measurement techniques. In my opinion, this issue is essential if you. It is hypertensive.

There are at least 4 methods of measuring blood pressure that should be used in specialized hypertension units:

- The casual or consultation measure. The classic oscillometric device.

- The AMPA. Self-measurement of blood pressure at home

- MAP or Holter blood pressure 24 hours.

- Central blood pressure. The indirect measurement of blood pressure in the aorta artery.

Only through a broad and detailed clinical history and a thorough physical examination can you know which technique or set of techniques should be used in each patient and explain in a slow and complete way what is the best way to measure blood pressure.